New Hampshire winners of an aviation art contest will receive introductory plane flights donated by private aviation companies in recognition of their awards.

Silver Ranch Airpark at Jaffrey Airport is providing introductory flights for the state's first-place winners in both the senior and intermediate categories. The senior category winner is Katie Chadbourne from the Jaffrey-Rindge Middle School in Jaffrey. Hannah Whitesel, also from the Jaffrey-Rindge Middle School, is the first place winner in the intermediate category. Each will receive separate flights, enabling them to each bring an additional two family members or friends.

Emerson Aviation at Laconia Airport is providing an introductory flight to Thomas Richards from the Milton Elementary School in Milton, the first-place winner in the junior category.

The annual art contest is sponsored internationally by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale and nationally by the National Association of State Aviation Officials. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation's Bureau of Aeronautics administers the contest in New Hampshire. Artwork following this year's theme, "50 Years of Human Space Flight", was submitted and judged in three age groups: Group I – Junior Category for students ages 6-9, Group II – Intermediate Category for students ages 10-13, and Group III – Senior Category for student ages 14-17. Employees of the NHDOT judged the entries, with the winning art being sent to Washington, DC to be judged nationally.

"It's rewarding when long established members of the aviation community, such as Lee and Harvey Sawyer of Silver Ranch Airpark and David Emerson of Emerson Aviation, contribute to the education and inspiration of students throughout New Hampshire," says Aeronautics Bureau Administrator Tricia Lambert. "It's through these collaborative efforts that we can educate young people about aviation."